This Is My Holy Grail War

As Saber unleashed the full force of her [Strike Air: Hammer of the Wind King], a horrifying vision flashed through Assassin's mind.

In that vision, countless blades of wind twisted like the teeth of a meat grinder, and she was nothing more than the helpless piece of flesh caught within. She could vividly feel herself being torn to shreds, reduced to little more than a spray of blood.

The premonition was so clear it was as though she had already tasted the pain of death.

What do I do?!

Her [Instinct] had predicted the catastrophe, yet her [Mind's Eye (Fake)] offered no solution. Until now, she had come to rely on the latter to guide her actions, but this time, no escape was provided.

Or rather, her [Mind's Eye (Fake)] had calculated all possible outcomes and found no way out—this was an inescapable checkmate.

In the face of certain death, Assassin's mind raced, desperate for even a sliver of hope.

Her ability still functioned, projecting over a dozen potential outcomes into her thoughts in the blink of an eye. But none of them offered a path to survival.

As despair crept in, her mind turned to the rules—the unique conditions of this Holy Grail War that defined her existence.

As long as I kill one Servant, I can survive… right?

Since the moment she was summoned by Kirei Kotomine, Assassin had clung to that objective. She harbored no delusions of defeating Rider's Ionioi Hetairoi or Archer's overwhelming treasures.

If Saber's [Strike Air] created an opening, perhaps she could seize the chance to drag them both down together.

Her resolve solidified, Assassin bent into a low stance, preparing to charge. But just as she was about to spring forward, a gentle voice interrupted her.

"Saber?"

Irisviel's soft words caused Saber to falter, her concentration broken. The winds of the [Hammer of the Wind King] calmed, and Saber turned to her companion with confusion etched across her face.

"Where is Kiritsugu?!" Saber asked, scanning the area. From the bushes emerged only Irisviel—there was no sign of her Master, Kiritsugu Emiya.

"Kiritsugu?" Irisviel tilted her head in bemusement. "You abandoned me without a word, and now you're blaming Kiritsugu? What about your promise to be my knight?"

"I… let me explain, Iris!" Saber stammered, clearly flustered. "It's because of Kiritsugu…"

Unbeknownst to Saber, Kiritsugu had been following Irisviel in the shadows, silently watching over her. He had no intention of revealing himself, allowing misunderstandings between himself and Saber to deepen further.

"Do you intend to keep fighting, Saber?" Assassin interjected, taking advantage of the moment.

"Yes." Saber nodded firmly. "I have no reason to call a truce."

"Then what about your Master?" Assassin asked pointedly. "Can you guarantee her safety if you continue this battle?"

Though Assassin knew full well that Irisviel wasn't Saber's true Master, she asked the question deliberately.

Saber immediately stepped protectively in front of Irisviel, her eyes narrowing. "What are you implying?"

As a Servant of the Assassin class, it was only natural to assume she might target Masters rather than engage in direct combat.

"Don't misunderstand," Assassin replied calmly. She had no intention of disrupting the Grail War's rituals by attacking Irisviel, the Lesser Grail. Still, under the constraints of her Command Spell, she couldn't retreat outright, so she attempted to reason with Saber instead.

"Are you running away, Assassin?" Saber asked, her tone sharp. A rare opportunity to confront an Assassin head-on wasn't something she would easily forgo.

"Do you think killing me will be so easy?" Sweat dampened Assassin's back, but she forced herself to remain composed.

"I admit you're strong," Saber conceded. "But you are not invincible."

"During our fight, I've already seen through your swordsmanship," Assassin declared confidently, though it was a bluff.

Saber's eyes widened. Impossible!

"It has been an honor to face a master like you," Assassin continued, feigning sincerity. "But the sharpness of a sword isn't defined by its techniques alone."

Saber's expression tightened. "Your swordsmanship is strange… as if it's designed to predict the future."

"That's correct." Assassin maintained her facade with unwavering poise. "I fight by following my instincts. Surely you've noticed?"

This person… truly understands the art of the sword. Saber's pupils contracted as the realization struck her.

"Yes," Saber admitted, nodding cautiously. "I possess a precognitive skill. You're not wrong."

"Then you know you won't defeat me anytime soon," Assassin said. "But I won't stoop to attacking your Master—it's beneath the dignity of a knight."

Assassin deliberately steered the conversation toward chivalry, hoping to disguise herself as a noble warrior.

"Instead, I want a fair duel between us. But with your Master present, you'll hold back to protect her, won't you?"

The notion struck a chord with Saber. She had experienced Assassin's deadly precision firsthand and couldn't risk exposing Irisviel to danger.

"And can you guarantee that, while we fight, no one else will attack her?" Assassin pressed further.

Saber hesitated. "No… I cannot."

"Then let's end this battle here," Assassin suggested. "This isn't a fair fight. My Master isn't here, while you must divide your focus between me and your Master's safety."

"I didn't expect such honor from an Assassin," Saber admitted, her voice tinged with guilt. "It seems I've misjudged you. I owe you an apology."

"But this Holy Grail War continues. I look forward to crossing swords with you again."

Assassin breathed a sigh of relief. I did it… I finally tricked her into leaving.

"Until next time," Assassin replied, her tone steady. "Let's have a proper duel worthy of our skills."

Saber's lips curved into a genuine smile. "To meet a knight like you in this era is a privilege. Though your swordsmanship seems chaotic, I couldn't even graze you. Perhaps my eyes deceive me."

"I'm just a weakling," Assassin said with a sigh. "If only your Master were mine…"

If only my Master were Kiritsugu, she thought bitterly. At least then, no matter how weak I am, he'd do whatever it takes to secure victory.

"If you consider yourself weak, then I must be utterly shameful," Saber replied, her tone light yet sincere. Their exchange, devoid of hostility, resembled a conversation between comrades rather than combatants.

As Saber turned to leave, she glanced back at the figure who had mimicked her so perfectly. For a fleeting moment, Saber misunderstood Assassin's earlier words.

If you had a different Master, you might have been summoned as Saber instead. Is that why you've forgotten how to wield a sword?

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T/N: does everyone get the [Acting EX] skill when they transmigrate?